To Commend and Encourage Interchurch Conversations with Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and North American Lutheran Church (NALC)

RESOLUTION 5-09

Report R11 (CW, pp. 66–73)

WHEREAS, Beginning in 2009, shortly after the establishment of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA, formed as a result of The Episcopal Church’s unscriptural views of biblical authority, creedal dogma, and morality), representatives of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and our Canadian partner, the Lutheran Church—Canada (LCC), have met twice each year with ACNA leaders for a series of cordial and productive discussions; and

WHEREAS, The ACNA-LCC-LCMS discussions have revealed areas of strong agreement (e.g., the ACNA firmly believes and teaches that the Bible is God’s Word, that the Creeds rightly confess the Christian faith, and that the moral teachings of the Bible on matters such as sexuality and marriage are to be upheld) and also areas where our churches have differing traditions and teachings (e.g., the Lord’s Supper, the doctrine of ministry), as reported in 2012 (https://blogs.lcms.org/2012/acna-lcms-release-joint-statement) and 2016 (https://www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=3994) and in a joint statement on marriage (http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=726&DocID=2384); and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 2009, after the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) was established (formed largely because of the ELCA’s departure from scriptural and confessional teaching 1 in a variety of areas), representatives of the LCMS and our Canadian partner, the LCC, have met twice each year with NALC leaders for a series of cordial and productive discussions; and

WHEREAS, The LCC-LCMS-NALC discussions have revealed areas of strong agreement (e.g., the under6 standing of the Gospel and the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, the doctrine and practice of marriage) and also areas where our churches have differing practices (e.g., women in ministry), and have resulted in a joint statement on marriage (together with the ACNA; see (http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=726&DocID=2384) and a joint report on the authority of Scripture (which is under consideration by the leaders of the three church bodies); and

WHEREAS, All the participants in these discussions with the ACNA and the NALC agree that (1) though such conversations will likely not in the near future enable altar and pulpit fellowship between our churches because of continuing differences in teaching and practice, they are (2) highly beneficial, have increased the degree of common understanding, and enabled our churches to encourage each other in faithful confession of the Christian faith and holy living in grateful obedience to the Triune God; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention give thanks to God for these church bodies and our joint desire to be faithful confessors of the truth of God’s Word; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention give thanks for the increasingly cordial relationship with these fellow Christians and, in particular, for the willingness of the ACNA and the NALC to send representatives to this convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS commend the Office of the President and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for pursuing these opportunities to conserve and promote unity without compromise of God’s Word and strongly encourage such discussions to continue.

FCname

CTCR

Resolution

5-09

Title

To Commend and Encourage Interchurch Conversations with Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and North American Lutheran Church (NALC)

Comments and opinions of others

Opinion Summary from 1 people ranging from No to No with an average of No

Opinion

comment

Date

No

If conversations are to continue, the Resolved needs to make it clear to CLMS Congregations that neither the ACNA nor the NALC are likely in the near future to 1) subscribe unconditionally to the Book of Concord of 1580, and 2) cease having ordained pastrixes.

Further work on this Resolution is needed before it is placed on the floor for a Convention vote.

07/07 05:30pm

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SCORE RANGE: 1-5, where 1 = low and 5 = high

SCORING CATEGORIES
L = Likelihood of adoption. For example, Commendation Resolutions are usually easy to pass, so would score 5.
S = Strengthens Doctrine & Practice. Is the Resolution faithful to Scripture and our Confessions? Does it entrench them?
F = Strengthens Walking in Fellowship. Does the Resolution enhance Synodical values?
P = Synod Priority. What is the priority of the Resolution for the Synod, especially with reference to S&F above?
X = Executable. Does the Resolution have a realistic goal? Can it be achieved with measurable results?

SCORE
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